Manchester United could try to persuade Real Madrid star to join them, but Bale doesn't know what the future holds

ED WOODWARD likes a golfing analogy when it comes to transfers. You have to
get your ball in a fair position, he says, before aiming for the hole. When
he has done the groundwork on a move he is “on the fairway”, and Manchester
United believe they have been ready to go at the flag on Gareth Bale for
more than a year.

They would have paid Real Madrid a world record £90m for Bale last summer but
Real refused to sell. Expect a similar bid this summer. Bale will have
options but the efforts Woodward has put in to court the player since almost
the moment he became United’s executive vice-chairman in 2013 are expected
to pay off.

Bale’s unhappiness about the sacking of Rafa Benitez means Woodward can get
out the pitching wedge — and a wedge of cash.